The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his left knee disability prior to July 9, 2012, was also rated at 10 percent. From September 1, 2013, the Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 60 percent due to chronic residuals of total knee replacement.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by painful motion and weakness, warranting a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5260. For his left knee prior to July 9, 2012, the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no joint 'locking' or effusion. After total knee replacement in July 2012, the Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60% under Diagnostic Code 5055 due to severe painful motion and weakness.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Right Knee, Left Knee Disability (pre-arthroplasty), Left Knee Disability (post-arthroplasty)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2017
- Citation
- 1759502
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1759502.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 30 percent for the period beginning February 2, 2024. The rating was denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to inadequate medical examination reports in his previous case. The AOJ is instructed to arrange a new right knee examination, considering the Veteran's incarceration status.
- Denied
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded all substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, from April 1, 2011, but no earlier.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.